The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District responded quickly to a fire on White Hill Sunday afternoon, July 12. The department was paged at 3:09pm and the 0.6-acre fire was out within a matter of a few hours, with crews clearing the scene at 7:20pm. “We want people to know that fire danger remains extreme. Although we have received small amounts of rain — and more may be coming — it has not been enough to meaningfully reduce the risk,” Deputy Chief Jenny Cutright told The Sun. “We encourage anyone who sees smoke to call 9-1-1 immediately. The sooner we know about a fire, the faster we can respond and work to keep it small.” Photo courtesy of Carbondale Fire

Indecent exposure 
The Carbondale Police Department (CPD) is investigating an alleged indecent exposure incident involving a child victim. The allegation is that a man approached the fence of a home on the 100 block of Garfield Avenue around 3pm on Saturday, July 11, exposing himself in front of the victim. While neighboring security camera footage does corroborate that someone did approach the fence, the video quality is not clear enough to provide an accurate description at this time, according to CPD. The department is working with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to see if the video quality can be enhanced to better identify the suspect. The department could only say that the suspect was wearing a dark T-shirt and dark shorts. In cases involving child victims, forensic interviews are conducted through Riverbridge Regional Center. Any information can be reported to CPD at 970-963-2662.

RVR sale
Following The Sun’s reporting of its impending sale, The Aspen Times reported on July 14 that the River Valley Ranch golf club transaction is a done deal. Palm Tree Crew, cofounded by Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo, Major Food Group and 8K Capital partnered to acquire the 187-acre facility, previously listed at  $24.5 million. “The buyers want to further activate the site as a driver for regional economic and cultural growth, drawing more visitors, bolstering the area’s luxury hospitality and residential markets and lifting the surrounding community’s long-term profile,” The Times reported based on a press release. 

Mountain Fair volunteers
Join an impassioned group of over 500 Mountain Fair-minded folks by volunteering for the vibrant, community-focused weekend, July 24-26, with Carbondale Arts. “Volunteers are the heartbeat of Mountain Fair, and in all ways we can’t do it without that support,” Carbondale Arts said in a newsletter. “But also, the folks that step up to make this event happen every year are dedicated, most often hilarious, hardworking and make great company. It’s the best way to experience the fair.” Folks who volunteer for more than four hours get a free “Friend of Fair” shirt. Sign up at tinyurl.com/mountainfairvolunteer2026

CLEER discussion
Learn about Carbondale’s climate progress and take part in a discussion about community environmental goals during “Carbondale’s Climate Progress: Past, Present & What’s Next.” The event, hosted by CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy, 

the Town of Carbondale and its Environmental Board, will take place from 6 to 7:30pm, Tuesday, July 21, in the Third Street Center’s Calaway Room. The event is free, open to the public and snacks and drinks will be provided.

Structure smoke
The Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District responded to a report from a resident of a possible structure fire at Red Hill Lofts on July 8, resulting in the evacuation of the building. “Firefighters traced the smoke to melted insulation inside walls of the structure and confirmed there was no active fire in the building,” according to a press release. “The smoke in the Red Hill Lofts was caused by hydrofluorocarbons from their HVAC unit,” Deputy Chief Jenny Cutright later told The Sun. “There was no fire.” 

Lethal wolf removal
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) last week released a final report regarding its lethal removal of an uncollared gray wolf in Routt County on June 12. Evidence showed that the wolf, CPW said in the report, was responsible for at least 22 depredations from July 2025 to June 2026, including two in Routt County on June 10 and 11. Before the removal, the livestock producer tried a variety of nonlethal deterrence methods, to no avail, and did not have any known attractants drawing the wolf to the area. The agency concluded that depredation would continue unless the wolf was lethally removed. To view the report, visit tinyurl.com/CPWwolfremoval 

Firefighter death
Colorado’s raging fire season claimed another life Sunday. Helicopter pilot Nicholas Dale, 56, of British Columbia, died in a helicopter crash in Silver Jack Reservoir while fighting the Gold Mountain Fire, which as of Tuesday had burned nearly 37,000 acres southeast of Ouray. Dale is the fourth firefighter who has died in Colorado this summer. “My heart goes out to the pilot’s friends, family and colleagues who mourn this immense loss,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement.  “We are committed to supporting our brave firefighters and their families, and the State stands ready to support any investigation into this tragic incident.”

They say it’s your birthday!
Folks celebrating another trip around the sun this week include: Diana Alcantara, Katie Browne, Bel Carpenter, Tony Spires and Niki Turner (July 16); Eric Brendlinger, JoAnn Glassier, Merrill Johnson, Luke Spaulding, Kim Stacey and Jason Steinberg (July 17); Kenna Crampton, Heidi Paul, Dawn Rains, Molly Stark-Ragsdale and Jacque Whitsitt (July 18); Tony Comer, Edgar Reyna and Annie Van Druten (July 19); Ed Anderson, Amy Burdick, Dave Dixon, Pat Morrissy and Heather Henry (July 20); Jordan Ebel, Ernie Kollar, Colleen Weinfurter, Brian Wexler and Bonnie Williams (July 21); Louie Girardot, Jessica Kollar and Elley McBrayer (July 22).